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Somalia- Humanitarian Situation Report September, 2007
September 22, 2007
A moderate flood warning was issued for the lower reaches of the Shabelle River
by the Food and Agriculture’s Somali Water and Land Information Management (FAO/SWALIM).
The alert also singled out Jowhar, Mahadi and Balad districts as areas of
greatest concern for localized floods. The Shabelle regions are already the
epicenter of an acute food security and nutrition crisis with malnutrition rates
between 17% - 19% and at least 500,000 people (including IDPs) in need of
assistance.
According to field reports, Deyr rains (October – December) have started early
in most parts of Somalia. In Puntland, the early rains are relieving an ongoing
water crisis in Nugal and Mudug regions.
After first being turned away, the UN Independent Expert on Human Rights in
Somalia, Dr. Ghanim Alnajjar, visited Somalia on 20 September to gather
first-hand information on the human rights situation. He met with the Prime
Minister and raised the issue of continuous attacks on the media. He expressed
deep concern regarding violations of the right to freedom of expression and the
apparent increase in threats and deadly attacks against journalists and human
rights defenders working in Somalia. He also raised the issue of lack of access
to vulnerable people and called for the government to ensure safe passage of
humanitarian aid. Dr Ghanim reiterated the need for the TFG to uphold human
rights through the establishment of an independent Human Rights commission in
the country. Following his mission into Somalia, he will report his findings to
the UN Human Rights Council.
Dr. Ghanim’s visit came days after attacks on Shabelle media office in Mogadishu
on 18 September where allegedly TFG forces opened fire on the premises. No
casualties were reported following the incident. Earlier on 16 September, police
stormed the offices of the same media house and briefly detained about 15
journalists accusing them for throwing a grenade at the police. The station was
on 19 September forced to shut down due to damaged premises.
Insecurity persists in Mogadishu as anti-government elements target
Ethiopian/TFG forces. Assassinations of those perceived to support the TFG
continue. According to media reports, food prices in many parts of Somalia have
risen owing to the insecurity. Staple foods such as rice, spaghetti and cooking
oil have already doubled in price. The monsoon season, which lasts from June
until September – also raises shipping food prices. The TFG has lifted the
three-month-long curfew for Mogadishu during Ramadan, hopefully leading to
improved access to basic social services such as hospitals, businesses and
schools. The curfew was imposed in June following an increase of insurgent
attacks on government bases.
On the disputed border of Somaliland and Puntland in Lasanod (Sool region),
reports indicate that fighting erupted on 17 September between troops from the
two states. It is not clear what triggered the conflict and the number of
casualties has not been confirmed. An unresolved boundary dispute between
Somaliland and Puntland exists over the western regions of Sool and Sanag
resulting in sporadic clashes from time to time.
In Merka (Lower Shabelle) fighting between rival clans broke out on 16 September
following the killing of the Deputy Police Commander. NGOs working in the area
were advised to restrict all staff movement within the town. Suspended road
movement linking Merka resumed soon after the situation calmed down. In Bardera
district (Gedo), an inter-clan conflict was reported resulting from the
construction of a water pan on disputed land between the two clans. About 10
people were reportedly killed and about 20 others injured. The local NGO HIRDA
conducted a survey which confirmed the displacement of about 1,600 people of
mostly women and children. Elders are said to be mediating for peace.
The Somalia United Nations Country Team conducted a mission to Mogadishu on 20
September and held discussions with the TFG Prime Minister and Cabinet on the
humanitarian crisis and response in Middle and Lower Shabelle. Issues of
reconstruction and development, IDP evictions and renovation of public buildings
and a more comprehensive cooperation framework between the UN and TFG were
discussed.
Returns and Displacements
As insecurity and sporadic violence persists in Mogadishu, displacements also
increased. Since the beginning of September, UNHCR’s Population Movement
Tracking (PMT) reported the displacement of about 11,000 people. During the same
period, the PMT project reported some 240 IDP returned to Mogadishu from
Galgaduud and Mudug regions.
Access and Response
Light rains have been reported in various parts of the country, but no roads
have become inaccessible.
All airfields are accessible except for Bardera, Garbahare (Gedo), Bulo Burti
(Hiran), Dinsor (Bay) which are closed due to constant insecurity, while Galkayo
(Mudug – Puntland) and Merka (Lower Shabelle) are open but subject to UNDSS
security clearance.
In response to the crisis situation in the Shabelles, WFP distributed food
through a local partner to 109,554 IDPs in Afgoye. WHO is distributing drugs and
medical supplies to about 10,000 IDPs through the Hawa Abdi clinic also in
Afgoye. Meanwhile, through other existing health facilities run by international
and local humanitarian workers, nutrition response of malnourished children is
ongoing as well as water trucking activities.
During a Flood Working Group (which was reactivated this week) meeting,
stakeholders agreed that various activities to control flood waters on river
Shabelle will be carried out immediately to help mitigate the effects of floods.
UNDP is planning to repair a major canal at Sabuun (Middle Shabelle) and other
canals and barrages will also be repaired through a UNDP/FAO/WFP program.
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Source: Jowhar
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